NEWS ROUNDUP: Serena Williams Falls To Karolina Pliskova In U.S. Open Semifinals…AND MORE

“I don’t think much went well today,” Williams said. “I made a lot of errors. I didn’t play as well as I’ve been playing.”

Serena Williams lost Thursday’s U.S. Open semifinal match at Arthur Ashe stadium to opponent Karolina Pliskova. “I don’t think much went well today,” Williams told reporters after the 6-2, 7-6(5) match. “I made a lot of errors. I didn’t play as well as I’ve been playing.” Not only did Williams lose the match, but she also lost her No.1 ranking, a title she’s held for 186 weeks. Her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, said a long-time knee injury may have caused a significant hinderance. The duo worked to iron out the tension before the match, he said. On the other hand, Williams doesn’t leave this year’s U.S. Open empty-handed, she broke tennis legend Roger Federer’s record, winning an extraordinary 308 Grand Slam matches. Read more.

Nigeria Faces Unprecedented Famine Due To Boko Haram

Nearly a quarter of a million children in Nigeria face extreme starvation and malnutrition because of Boko Haram’s agricultural disruption. Doctors Without Borders say the situation is harrowing; many of the children die within a 24-hour time period after they arrive at treatment centers. U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Toby Lanzer told authorities at a Thursday meeting in Brussels that another two million people are unreachable because the situation is difficult to assess. As Nigeria faces a recession and limited resources for help, Lanzer said,“We will see, I think, a famine unlike any we have ever seen anywhere.” Read more.

Smithsonian Museum To Display Pastor G.E. Patterson’s Artifacts

Months after famed pastor G.E. Patterson’s death, his artifacts will catch the eye of visitors at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Patterson is a beloved figure in the Christian community, known as the first televangelist. He preached from the pulpit at his Memphis-based church, Bountiful Blessings Ministries, and impacted the lives of millions. “It’s an honor for Memphis, but also an honor for the religious community because he stood among giants,” close associate Deidre Malone said. The museum will open its doors on September 24. Read more.

Ryan Coogler is staying mum on whether he will join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He and 683 others were invited this year in an effort to diversify the group. His friend and frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan was also invited.Coogler has yet to respond to the invite, while sources say he has no interest in joining. He’s probably focused on his next movie, Marvel’s Black Panther. Read more.

Lady Chablis, LGBT Icon and Beloved Entertainer, Dead At 59

Lady Chablis, known for her groundbreaking role in John Berendt’s book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and Clint Eastwood’s film adaptation of the same name, died on Thursday morning at a Savannah, Georgia hospital. Close friends say Chablis died of complications from pneumonia. Chablis, who was born Benjamin Edward Knox, was a well-known performer in the dreamy southern town and a champion of LGBT rights in the tight-knit community. Her one-woman show at Club One brought thousands to see her electric performances. The venue released a statement saying she was a “trendsetter” and “an inspiration to others in our business. As someone who was not afraid to push limits and set the bar higher, her presence will be forever missed.” Read more.